By Liquid Flow Modifying Or Mechanical Agitating Patents (Class 95/260)
  • Patent number: 11014023
    Abstract: A degassing system includes a degassing tank with a first space area configured for having liquid introduced therein and a second space area configured for having the liquid from the first space area introduced therein. The first and the second space area are partially separated from one another by a separation element. The degassing system includes a controllable pump configured to pump liquid from the first space area to the second space area for a two-stage vacuum degassing process responsive to the pump being operated. The degassing system includes a control device configured to control the pump to not be operated for a single-stage vacuum degassing process and to be operated for a two-stage vacuum degassing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Johanna Justl
  • Patent number: 10532331
    Abstract: An artificial-whirlpool generator includes a whirlpool generating member including at least one water inlet, a whirlpool generating chamber communicating with the water inlet, and a whirlpool outlet that is formed at a lower end portion of the whirlpool generating member and communicates with the whirlpool generating chamber; a position-fixing means that fixes the whirlpool forming member such that the entirety of the whirlpool generating member or only a portion of the whirlpool generating member, including the whirlpool outlet is submerged; and a swirling flow forming unit that forces water in a waterbody to be introduced into the whirlpool generating chamber through the water inlet and rotates the introduced water in one direction around an axle provided at a center portion of the whirlpool generating chamber to form a whirlpool that descends toward the whirlpool outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: KOREA AQUOSYS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shi Chun Yang
  • Patent number: 10344572
    Abstract: A method of producing oil and gas from a gathering manifold or a well. The method includes the steps of channeling field production into a sealed vessel through an inlet pipe, and permitting oil and gas components of the field production to separate naturally from water and other fluids within the vessel. The method further includes the steps of evacuating the separated oil and gas from the vessel via pipelines attached to the vessel at locations corresponding to the separated oil and gas, and pumping seawater into the vessel to pressurize the vessel and thereby aid in the production of oil and gas from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Mari Hussain Alqahtani
  • Publication number: 20150114227
    Abstract: A gas/liquid separator (120) is provided. The gas/liquid separator (120) includes a separator shell (121) forming an internal chamber (125), a neck (128) formed in an end of the separator shell (121), a separator tube (126) extending into the separator shell (121), with a proximal end (131) forming an output port (123) and with a distal end (132) extending into the internal chamber (125), and an input port (122) formed between the separator tube (126) and the neck (128). The distal end (132) of the separator tube (126) is located in a central interior region of the separator shell (121) wherein liquid phase material accumulates in the internal chamber (125) and is not drawn out of the gas/liquid separator (120) by the separator tube (126).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Norgren Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Brooks, Richard Edwards, Simon Gass
  • Patent number: 8936670
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating water of the spray type, such as a deaerator or preheater. According to the invention the connection between the vessel (12) and the sprayer (34) and the supply of water to be treated comprises a pipe section (40) having a first open end in fluid communication with a treatment chamber and a second open end provided with a first flange (60) for connecting to a sprayer (34), the sprayer (34) comprising a sprayer flange (68) connected to said first flange (60), the sprayer flange (68) carrying the sprayer (34), which is in fluid communication with a connecting pipe (72) at one end thereof, the connecting pipe (72) extending through the first flange (60) to a coupling flange (74) for connection to the supply of water to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Stork Thermeq B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Johan Averesch
  • Publication number: 20140377155
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur within a vertical sulfur condenser may include providing a plurality of condenser tubes within an external casing; submerging exit ends of the plurality of condenser tubes within a liquid reservoir resulting in submerged exit ends of the plurality of condenser tubes; passing the Claus process gas into an inlet end of the plurality of condenser tubes; condensing the Claus process gas within the condenser tubes to produce condensed Claus process gas within the plurality of condenser tubes; and collecting the condensed Claus process gas in the liquid reservoir upon exiting of the condensed Claus process gas at an exit end of the plurality of condenser tubes. The process may further include converting hydrogen sulfide by the Claus reaction 2H2S+SO23/xSx+2H2O, and decomposing polysulfanes to hydrogen sulfide and sulfur, wherein elemental sulfur is freed from hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Publication number: 20140366731
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for degassing liquid sulphur in a container, a first area of the container being flooded with liquid sulphur and a second area of the container being flooded with a gas, and a gas flow being injected into the first area, wherein liquid sulphur is sprayed into the second area. Embodiments of the invention include a device for degassing liquid sulphur having a container comprising two adjacent areas, the first area being flooded with liquid sulphur and the second area being flooded with gas, and having at least one device for injecting a gas flow into the first area, characterised by a device for spraying liquid sulphur opening into the second area. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jean Nougayrede, Wolfgang Nehb, Eckhard Juengst
  • Publication number: 20140345459
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a removal device for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a liquid conduit system or for removing a second liquid from a first liquid in the conduit system. The removal device includes a main channel for a main flow, the main channel having an entry and an exit which are configured to be connected to the conduit system, a housing which defines an inner space, at least one supply channel extending from the main channel to the inner space, at least one return channel extending from the inner space back to the main channel, directly or indirectly via a return chamber, at least one quiet zone in the inner space in which in use the liquid has a substantially smaller velocity than in the main channel. The quiet zone is configured to allow dirt particles or a relatively heavy liquid to settle at a lower end of the housing and/or gas bubbles or a relatively light liquid to rise to an upper end of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Jan Henk Cnossen
  • Patent number: 8894749
    Abstract: A microbubble reducer for eliminating and/or removing bubbles of gas from a flow comprising non-Newtonian fluids, wherein the microbubble reducer comprises an inlet at a low point, a curved duct means comprising a gas outlet at a high point, an outlet at a low point, and a lumen that runs through said inlet, said curved duct means, said gas outlet, and said outlet. Additionally, including various methods for removing gas from a flow comprising non-Newtonian fluid(s) using the microbubble reducer, an apparatus comprising the microbubble reducer, and uses of the microbubble reducer pertaining to dialysis or similar treatments, inter alia hemodialysis, plasma exchange, for infusion of blood and other non-Newtonian fluids, and in a heart-lung machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Embody AB
    Inventors: Per Jonsson, Bernd Stegmayr, Ulf Forsberg, Christofer Stegmayr
  • Patent number: 8894755
    Abstract: A gas-liquid separator includes a housing which encloses a separation chamber, an inlet port for feeding the multi-phase flow into the separation chamber, a liquid outlet port for discharging the liquid dominated flow from the separation chamber and a gas outlet port provided at a position above both the inlet port and the liquid outlet port for discharging the gas dominated flow from the separation chamber. Both the inlet port and the liquid outlet port are positioned adjacent to an elongated lower bottom wall of the housing and define a flow direction into the and out of the separation chamber approximately aligned along the bottom wall. The separation chamber extends above the bottom wall in between the inlet port and the liquid outlet port. The liquid outlet port is provided with a gas seal to prevent entrainment of free gas from the separation chamber into the liquid outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventors: Tor Bruun, Torbjørn Fiveland, Bjørnar Werswick
  • Patent number: 8888898
    Abstract: A two-phase working fluid, having a liquid phase and a gas phase, is purged of non-condensable gas prior to being used to charge a closed thermal management system, improving the heat transfer performance of the thermal management system. The liquid phase of the two-phase working fluid is exposed to conditions that cause non-condensable gas to separate from the two-phase working fluid. The non-condensable gas is vented, and two-phase working fluid that vaporizes under the conditions is captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Rice, Jeffrey Spaulding
  • Patent number: 8864880
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus useful for mechanically delaying formation of or breaking a pocket and a method of delaying formation of or breaking a gas pocket employing the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kishore K. Kar, Madan Somasi, Richard F. Cope, James J. Pressler, David J. Adrian
  • Publication number: 20140290485
    Abstract: Contemplated gas-liquid separators and especially subsea gas-liquid separators have a main pipe with a plurality of descending branch pipes that are fluidly coupled to the main pipe and each other such as to allow disengagement of the gas into the main pipe while liquid and sand descend into the lower ends of the branch pipes. Sand accumulation in the lower ends of the branch pipes is preferably prevented by lateral serial flow of liquid and sand from one branch pipe to the next and use of a flush liquid that is drawn from one or more branch pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Clifford Neal Prescott, Jianfeng (Jeff) Zhang
  • Patent number: 8777189
    Abstract: Versions of the invention include methods for reducing microbubbles in liquids treated by heat or mass exchange devices. The exchange devices may be conditioned by having gases in crevices and surfaces displaced by a liquid. The methods can be used to prepare liquids with reduced numbers of microbubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Zahka, Aiwen Wu
  • Patent number: 8753431
    Abstract: A bubble removal method is for removing a bubble from liquid whose viscosity is reduced when shear occurs. A vessel, including a liquid inlet and multiple liquid outlets, whose volumetric capacity is variable and a means for giving resistance to the passage of liquid between the inside and the outside of the vessel are used. The liquid is passed through the vessel against resistance and the volumetric capacity of the vessel is increased and reduced. The interior of the vessel is depressurized and pressurized by the means for giving resistance to the passage of liquid in conjunction with increase and reduction in the volumetric capacity of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: National University Corporation Nagoya Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Shuichi Iwata, Hideki Mori
  • Publication number: 20140130671
    Abstract: A gas trap includes a sample enclosure, a bubbler enclosure, an agitator, and a brushless, DC motor. The sample enclosure has a liquid inlet, a gas sample outlet, and a sample enclosure wall with a sample enclosure wall portion and a shared wall portion. The bubbler enclosure has a bubbler air inlet, a bubbler air outlet, and a bubbler enclosure wall with a bubbler enclosure wall portion and the shared wall portion. The sample and bubbler enclosures are fluidly coupled through the shared wall portion so that sufficiently pressurized bubbler air entering through the bubbler air inlet maintains the drilling fluid in the sample enclosure at a level determined by the location of the bubbler air outlet when the liquid inlet and the bubbler air outlet are both submerged in the drilling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Jason Alexander DeGreeve, Sean William Lyons Unrau, Marceau Ernest van Beurden, Ryan Henricus van Beurden
  • Patent number: 8679233
    Abstract: A method of modifying the apparent wettability (the area contacted by a liquid) of solids with liquids by controlling the surface geometry or the capillary geometry. This modification is possible by understanding the geometric relationship between the contact angle and the included angle of surface features. This same geometric relationship can be used to enhance two-phase fluid separation during phase transformation as well as measure dynamic contact angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Phillip G. Wapner, Wesley P. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8663368
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture. In one embodiment water containing methane is passed through an agitation chamber with a plate at the chamber's proximal and distal ends. Both plates have orifices permitting the mixed fluid to pass into and out of the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid rotates about its axis of flow through the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid passes through a separation chamber having a plurality of baffles that promote separation of the methane from the methane/water mixture. In one embodiment, the separated methane is removed from the water in a collection chamber that facilitates gravity separation of the mixed fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Bret Hettinger Wolz, John Mayer Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20140048495
    Abstract: A removal device for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a liquid conduit system or for removing an undesired liquid from the liquid in the liquid conduit system includes: a housing having: an entry, at least one exit, an inner space defined by the housing, at least one tube placed within the housing, where the at least one tube extends substantially between the entry and the exit and defines a main flow channel, at least one branch flow passage located near the entry for allowing fluid communication between the main flow channel and an area outside the tube and within the inner space defined by the housing, at least one return flow passage located near the exit for allowing fluid communication between the area outside the tube and the main flow channel, at least one quiet zone formed within the inner space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: FLAMCO B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Henk Cnossen, Terence Arthur Devlin
  • Publication number: 20140026755
    Abstract: A lean solvent is produced from a CO2 rich solvent using heat exchange with a conditioned stream in a reboiler. A power generator generates a low pressure steam from high pressure steam. A portion of the low pressure steam is sent to a fluid conditioning unit, which conditions the low pressure steam to a temperature and pressure required to allow for the production of lean solvent from a rich solvent in a reboiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis W. Johnson, James H. Brown, Jon D. Peeples
  • Patent number: 8632625
    Abstract: A gas trap includes a sample enclosure, a bubbler enclosure, an agitator, and a brushless, DC motor. The sample enclosure has a liquid inlet, a gas sample outlet, and a sample enclosure wall with a sample enclosure wall portion and a shared wall portion. The bubbler enclosure has a bubbler air inlet, a bubbler air outlet, and a bubbler enclosure wall with a bubbler enclosure wall portion and the shared wall portion. The sample and bubbler enclosures are fluidly coupled through the shared wall portion so that sufficiently pressurized bubbler air entering through the bubbler air inlet maintains the drilling fluid in the sample enclosure at a level determined by the location of the bubbler air outlet when the liquid inlet and the bubbler air outlet are both submerged in the drilling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Pason Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Alexander DeGreeve, Sean William Lyons Unrau, Marceau Ernest van Beurden, Ryan Henricus van Beurden
  • Patent number: 8632624
    Abstract: A fluid trap apparatus includes an inlet configured to receive a flow of composite fluid into the apparatus. The composite fluid contains at least a first fluid and a second fluid. An outer wall defines an interior chamber. A flow diffuser is interposed within the interior chamber. The flow diffuser directs the flow of the composite fluid to circulate through the interior chamber. The first fluid and the second fluid separate as the composite fluid circulates through the interior chamber. A method of separating a first fluid from a second fluid includes introducing a flow of composite fluid into a separate chamber. A pressure gradient is created within the separation chamber. A flow diffuser is interposed in a flow path between an inlet and an outlet. The flow diffuser directs the flow of the composite fluid within the separation chamber. The first fluid and the second fluid are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David E. Cassidy, Eric E. May, Garrett Austin Sheffer
  • Publication number: 20130333558
    Abstract: The device of the present invention allows the pressure of a certain fluid to be reduced without reductions in the cross sectional area or organs in movement. The pressure reduction is obtained by passing the fluid to be depressurized, in sequence, through a plurality of pairs of steps. In the first step of each pair, part of the pressure energy of the fluid is converted to gravitational potential; in the second step the gravitational potential is converted into thermal energy, so as to prevent the reconversion of the same into pressure energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Versalis S.P.A.
    Inventors: Riccardo Felisari, Alessandro Casalini
  • Patent number: 8591632
    Abstract: A bottle of one-piece integrally formed construction has a body with a closed base and a shoulder at an end of the body remote from the base, and a neck extending from the shoulder along an axis and terminating in a neck finish for attachment of a closure. The bottle neck includes at least one internal embossment for affecting flow of liquid from the body through the neck. In exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, the at least one internal embossment includes at least one internal annular rib or at least one internal rib coplanar with the neck axis or at least one internal spiral rib or at least one internal elliptical rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Lonsway, Bruce A. Becker, Vincent J. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8562716
    Abstract: A method for degassing a liquid of a substantially closed liquid circulation system at a working pressure may include passing at least a partial flow of the liquid through a restriction into a chamber in which a degassing pressure is maintained, the degassing pressure being higher than atmospheric pressure and lower than the working pressure; separating gas withdrawn from the partial flow of liquid from the partial flow; removing the gas from the chamber; and pumping the degassed partial flow of the liquid back into the substantially closed circulation system. The restriction may include a nozzle, and the step of passing at least the partial flow of the liquid through the restriction into the chamber may include spraying at least the partial flow of the liquid through the nozzle into the chamber for obtaining a jet and/or mist of the liquid in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Spiro Enterprises B.V.
    Inventor: Antonius Gerardus Wilhelmus Maria Lamers
  • Publication number: 20130270194
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for recovering oil from a submerged oil source, wherein the system includes a submerged conduit having at least two openings, with a first opening capable of being located in proximity of a leak in order to capture leaking oil, and with a second opening capable of communicating captured leaking oil to another location. A natural gas separator, coupled to the submerged conduit separates the boiling vapor phase natural gas from the captured oil thereby outputting oil with water contaminant. An oil/water separator coupled to the natural gas separator then separates out the contaminant water, resulting in a processed recovered oil product for storage and subsequent refinement. The flow to capture the leak is induced by generating a lower pressure at nozzle in the conduit via power jet, air lift, pumping of fluid out of conduit close to sea level, or other methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Dana R. Allen
  • Patent number: 8544282
    Abstract: A closed loop geothermal system has a fluid circulation loop that includes in series: a heat pump, a ground loop heat exchanger, a tank flow center and a circulation pump. The tank flow center includes a tank, a first valve, a second valve and a tank bypass line all mounted in a common housing. The tank may include a refill inlet that opens through a top surface of the housing. A cap may be attached to close the refill inlet. The tank flow center has the regular geothermal operation configuration, a system flush configuration, and a refill configuration. The tank flow center may be elevated above the circulation pump a distance to produce a water column that is greater than a minimum cavitation avoidance head pressure for the circulation pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Wyer, Demitri Gula
  • Publication number: 20130228075
    Abstract: A multi-phase flow separation apparatus has a vessel having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an enclosure separating the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The enclosure has an open bottom that extends below the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The open bottom of the enclosure has a plurality of distributed points of egress that are below the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The fluid inlet induces an inlet flow vector on an inflow of fluid. Each point of egress defines a flow path, that, when defined as the path of least resistance from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet while traversing the respective point of egress, includes a reversal of the inlet flow vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: RHEAUME ENGINEERING ING.
    Inventor: Ronald William ZYLLA
  • Publication number: 20130220629
    Abstract: A two phase gas-liquid separation apparatus is provided that shapes the flow in a flow shaping line. Shaping the two-phase flow allows centrifugal force to send the heavier, denser liquid to the outside wall of the flow shaping line and allows the lighter, less dense vapor or gas to occupy the inner wall of the flow shaping line. With the gas positioned on the inner wall of the flow shaping line, an exit port on the inner wall will allow for the majority, if not all, of the gas, along with a low amount of liquid, to be sent to a conventional separator. A high ratio of vapor/liquid at a flow rate much lower than the total flow rate within the flow shaping line is sent to the conventional separator. This allows for efficient separation of the vapor from the liquid with the use of a smaller conventional separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Haven Technology
    Inventor: Haven Technology
  • Patent number: 8506684
    Abstract: In one aspect, a gas release device for removing gas from a bodily liquid in extracorporeal circuitry is described. The device includes an elongate vertical portion and a flared portion that extends outwardly from the elongate vertical portion. The device also includes an inlet port for delivering a bodily liquid into the device, and an outlet port for evacuating the bodily liquid from the device. The inlet port is positioned below the elongate vertical portion and the outlet port is positioned below the flared portion such that bodily liquid traveling from the inlet toward the outlet is forced around the flared portion to cause air bubbles in the bodily liquid to be re-circulated back toward the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Weaver, Martin Joseph Crnkovich
  • Publication number: 20130192466
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture. In one embodiment water containing methane is passed through an agitation chamber with a plate at the chamber's proximal and distal ends. Both plates have orifices permitting the mixed fluid to pass into and out of the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid rotates about its axis of flow through the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid passes through a separation chamber having a plurality of baffles that promote separation of the methane from the methane/water mixture. In one embodiment, the separated methane is removed from the water in a collection chamber that facilitates gravity separation of the mixed fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Bret Hettinger Wolz, John Mayer Kaufman
  • Patent number: 8470082
    Abstract: A system in one embodiment includes a barrier; an inverted cone in the barrier; and a member under the inverted cone and having dimensions that cause solids passing therealong between the member and the barrier to have about a constant velocity profile thereacross. A method for purging a gas from a solid/gas mixture according to one embodiment includes adding solids to a barrier having an inverted cone therein and a member under the inverted cone, wherein the solids passing along the member have about a constant vertical velocity profile thereacross; and injecting a purge gas into the solids from at least one point adjacent the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Blickley, Mark W. Blood, Glenn W. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8460440
    Abstract: A beverage production device comprises a beverage production chamber designed to have a liquid interact with a beverage ingredient contained in a capsule, a liquid supply member for supplying liquid to the beverage production chamber, a heating member provided in the liquid supply member for heating the liquid, and an air separating compartment provided in the liquid supply member after the heating member for separating any air or other gas contained in the liquid. The air separating compartment comprises an inlet for introducing liquid into the air separating compartment, a member for breaking the kinetic energy of the liquid introduced through the inlet, a liquid outlet for evacuating liquid from the air separating compartment, and an air outlet for evacuating air from the air separating compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Matthieu Ozanne, Didier Vuagniaux, Jean-Luc Thuliez, Thierry Robert
  • Patent number: 8448926
    Abstract: Provided is a method for contacting a gas with a liquid in a rotating packed bed. The method comprises providing a rotating packed bed comprising two sets of rotatable packing rings disposed within a chamber and defining an interior region. The rotating packed bed also comprises at least one liquid distributor with an inlet for accepting a liquid, the inlet in communication with an exit port for infusing the liquid into the interior region. The liquid distributor also comprises at least one gas outlet for accepting gas which has passed through the packed bed and for removing the gas from the interior region. The two sets of rotatable packing rings are caused to rotate. Liquid is infused into the interior region by way of the liquid inlet, and gas is injected through at least one gas inlet into the interior region, with the liquid and gas passing through each of the packing rings in countercurrent flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Dutra E Mello, Manuel Lim, Krishniah Parimi, David Brossard
  • Patent number: 8449656
    Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for reduction of dissolved oxygen content in seawater from about 8 ppm in the feed seawater to about 10 ppb or less. Significant advantages are achieved by: use of a separator in horizontal alignment to provide high gas-liquid contacting area for separation and de-entrainment within the separator, thereby providing higher throughput; and heating seawater to at least 30° C. and up to 60° C., so as to enhance removal of oxygen from seawater; use of once-through fuel gas as stripping gas and its subsequent combustion for heating the seawater provides for high efficiency and reduction of fouling. The combination of these features allows the amount of residual oxygen in deoxygenated seawater to be reduced to below 10 ppb and as low as 2 ppb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: AMT International Inc.
    Inventors: Kuang-Yeu Wu, Adam T. Lee, Lindsey Vuong, Edward K. Liu, Karl T. Chuang
  • Patent number: 8425668
    Abstract: A fluid evaporation system includes a housing bounding an airflow path. A misting system is positioned within the airflow path for spraying a wastewater into the airflow path. Water in the misted wastewater is evaporated, thereby concentrating minerals in the wastewater. A pretreatment system is positioned upstream from the fluid evaporator. The pretreatment system includes a gas induced separator. Separation of hydrocarbons and water are enhanced using a polymer and/or by lowering the pH of the wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Total Water Management, LLC
    Inventors: Janos I. Lakatos, Edward Clay Slade, Clayton R. Carter, Christopher Allen Jahn, Neil William Richardson
  • Patent number: 8425667
    Abstract: A subsea system includes a multiphase pump, configured to transfer a multiphase fluid and a multiphase separator, configured to separate the multiphase fluid into solid, liquid, and gaseous phases. The multiphase separator includes a solid-liquid separation device, which is configured to facilitate separation of the solid phase and the liquid phase from the multiphase fluid. The multiphase separator includes a gas-liquid separation device, which is configured to facilitate separation of the gaseous phase and the liquid phase from the multiphase fluid. The multiphase separator includes a liquid reservoir, which is configured to contain a volume of the liquid phase to be used as a lubricant for the multiphase pump. Finally, the multiphase separator includes a liquid outlet, which is configured to transfer the liquid phase from the liquid reservoir to the multiphase pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Deloyd Anderson, Vasanth Srinivasa Kothnur, Hrishikesh Vishvas Deo, Johan Kristian Sveen, Ove Saele
  • Patent number: 8388740
    Abstract: A process is presented for the removal of dissolved oxygen from hydrocarbon streams. The hydrocarbons streams include kerosene and jet fuels. The process includes mixing the hydrocarbons streams with an oxygen free gas to form a gas-liquid mixture. The mixture is allowed to disengage into a gas stream and a liquid stream, thereby removing dissolved oxygen from the hydrocarbon stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen W. Sohn, Steven P. Lankton, Debarshi Majumder, Brian J. Schiavone
  • Publication number: 20130047851
    Abstract: A bottle of one-piece integrally formed construction has a body with a closed base and a shoulder at an end of the body remote from the base, and a neck extending from the shoulder along an axis and terminating in a neck finish for attachment of a closure. The bottle neck includes at least one internal embossment for affecting flow of liquid from the body through the neck. In exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, the at least one internal embossment includes at least one internal annular rib or at least one internal rib coplanar with the neck axis or at least one internal spiral rib or at least one internal elliptical rib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Michael J. Lonsway, Bruce A. Becker, Vincent J. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8366808
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture. In one embodiment water containing methane is passed through an agitation chamber with a plate at the chamber's proximal and distal ends. Both plates have orifices permitting the mixed fluid to pass into and out of the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid rotates about its axis of flow through the agitation chamber. In one embodiment, the mixed fluid passes through a separation chamber having a plurality of baffles that promote separation of the methane from the methane/water mixture. In one embodiment, the separated methane is removed from the water in a collection chamber that facilitates gravity separation of the mixed fluids. In one embodiment, liquid hydrocarbon is removed from water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hycap Energy LLC
    Inventors: Bret Hettinger Wolz, John Mayer Kaufman
  • Patent number: 8333828
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to degassing and cleaning of hydrocarbon fuel. Degassing of hydrocarbon fuel is a way to remove the dissolved gases which aid in the oxidation of the fuel as well as the removal of sulfur, water and other particulate matter through radial cavitation. This process allows for both improvements in efficiency as well as decrease in emissions of standard fuel and the re-refining of fuels which have broken down. University of Idaho did a study on the breakdown of diesel fuel and found out that 26% of the efficiency is lost by the 28th day after fuel processing. In one embodiment, the fuel is subjected to fluid-shear forces and cavitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Labs LLC
    Inventor: Joseph L. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 8313658
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a removal device for removing gas, dirt and/or particles from a contaminating liquid from a liquid in a liquid conduit system. The removal device includes a housing, a supply opening and a discharge opening, a resistance zone, at least one quiet zone and at least one return opening. The quiet zone allows dirt and/or particles of a relatively heavy contaminating liquid to settle to a bottom of the housing, and/or gas bubbles and/or particles of a relatively light contaminating liquid to rise to an upper end of the housing at least one bifurcation opening in the resistance zone and subsequently returns into the main flow at the merge point through the return opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Flamco B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Henk Cnossen
  • Patent number: 8282711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a subsea installation for treatment of hydrocarbons from a subsea well, having a pipe system comprising a first manifold (2) connected to at least one well (1) and at least two first pipe segments (3) with an inlet connected to the manifold (2) and where the first pipe segments (3) comprise at least two outlets, where the first manifold (2) and the first pipe segments (3) are arranged in a first plane and where one of the outlets from the first pipe segments leads to a second manifold (7). According to the invention a second of the outlets from the first pipe segments (3) leads to at least two second pipe segments (9) arranged in a second plane and where at least one of the outlets forms an inlet to the second pipe segments (9), where the second pipe segments (9) comprise at least one outlet leading to a third manifold (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventors: Jens Grenstad, Marit Mork, Odd Marius Rosvold, Magnus Bernt
  • Patent number: 8273151
    Abstract: A liquid/gas separator device for separating liquid and gaseous phases of a fluid, in particular crude oil, the device comprising a network of first and second separator pipes disposed horizontally, said first and second separator pipes being connected together by vertical link third pipes. The first separator pipes are fed from and connected upstream to a horizontal cylindrical diffuser and are connected downstream to a first horizontal cylindrical manifold. The second separator pipes are connected upstream to the same diffuser and downstream to a second horizontal cylindrical manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Saipem S.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Miotto, Massimo Chiarotti
  • Publication number: 20120216679
    Abstract: A microbubble reducer for eliminating and/or removing bubbles of gas from a flow comprising non-Newtonian fluids, wherein the microbubble reducer comprises an inlet at a low point, a curved duct means comprising a gas outlet at a high point, an outlet at a low point, and a lumen that runs through said inlet, said curved duct means, said gas outlet, and said outlet. Additionally, including various methods for removing gas from a flow comprising non-Newtonian fluid(s) using the microbubble reducer, an apparatus comprising the microbubble reducer, and uses of the microbubble reducer pertaining to dialysis or similar treatments, inter alia hemodialysis, plasma exchange, for infusion of blood and other non-Newtonian fluids, and in a heart-lung machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Embody AB
    Inventors: Per Jonsson, Bernd Stegmayr, Ulf Forsberg, Christofer Stegmayr
  • Patent number: 8221529
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a dialysis fluid cassette is disclosed. The cassette includes a plurality of walls defining at least one valve chamber, a dialysis fluid inlet, a dialysis fluid outlet and a dialysis fluid pathway. The cassette further includes a baffle extending from a first one of the walls to an opposing second one of the walls. The baffle includes an end fixed to a third one of the plurality of walls and a free end. The fixed end separates the dialysis fluid inlet from the dialysis fluid outlet and the baffle and the plurality of walls are constructed and arranged such that the flow of dialysis fluid along the pathway defined in part by the baffle slows as the flow approaches the free end of the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Baxter International, Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Robert W. Childers, Donald D. Busby, Michael E. Hogard, Michael R. Prisco, Atif M. Yardimci, James C. Laird
  • Publication number: 20120139135
    Abstract: A volatile organic compound removal device includes a cabinet having first and second slidable drawers movable between inserted and extended positions. A downcomer tube is downwardly and slidably received in an aperture of the first drawer. A sealing flange extends horizontally outward from a downcomer tube perimeter and extends beyond the aperture when the downcomer tube is received in the aperture. The sealing flange faces an upward facing surface of the first drawer and supports the downcomer tube to the first drawer using only a weight of the downcomer tube applied through the sealing flange to the upward facing surface. A removable seal pot pan is supported on an upward facing surface of the second drawer, which is aligned directly below and receives a lower end of the downcomer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: QED ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Bryan D. Spicer
  • Patent number: 8182586
    Abstract: A bubble reduction system for a fluid flowing system is provided. The bubble reduction system can include a vat containing a fluid, a pump operable to pump the fluid into the vat, a moat containing a portion of the fluid and a bubble trap also containing a portion of the fluid. The bubble trap can have an upstream section and a downstream section with a panel located between the two sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Mahaffy
  • Publication number: 20120118154
    Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for reduction of dissolved oxygen content in seawater from about 8 ppm in the feed seawater to about 10 ppb or less. Significant advantages are achieved by: use of a separator in horizontal alignment to provide high gas-liquid contacting area for separation and de-entrainment within the separator, thereby providing higher throughput; and heating seawater to at least 30° C. and up to 60° C., so as to enhance removal of oxygen from seawater; use of once-through fuel gas as stripping gas and its subsequent combustion for heating the seawater provides for high efficiency and reduction of fouling. The combination of these features allows the amount of residual oxygen in deoxygenated seawater to be reduced to below 10 ppb and as low as 2 ppb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Kuang-Yeu Wu, Adam T. Lee, Lindsey Vuong, Edward K. Liu, Karl T. Chuang
  • Patent number: RE43941
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating natural gas from production streams comprising a liquid dispersion of water, sand, and natural gas is provided for. The separator comprises a vessel having an interior surface defining a spherical interior space. The interior space allows a production stream introduced therein to experience a velocity drop sufficient to allow separation of the natural gas from the sand and water components. The separator also comprises a stream inlet port in the vessel, a liquid drain in the lower end of the vessel, and a gas outlet port at the upper end of the vessel remote from the stream inlet port. A baffle is mounted in the interior of the vessel in the path of the production stream between the stream inlet port and the gas outlet port. The baffle is effective to spread and direct a high pressure production stream introduced into the interior space via the stream inlet port downward toward the liquid drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sand Separators LLC
    Inventors: Emmett Ronald Worley, Shirley Royce Green